Game World: I Can Share Talents

Chapter 326 - 56: Duke Qinghui, He’ll Call Anyone Mother for Milk

"...Your Majesty, this was precisely the ultimate goal of our previous expedition. It seems we are of one mind."

Uther bowed first, then spoke. "During the expedition that just concluded, our objective was to clear the Chaos threats surrounding Yonglan and then attempt to expand toward the neighboring borders of the Realm of Order."

"If we are to follow your will and seek battle, then the only path... is toward the Empire."

The Yonglan Knights had no desire to clash with the Empire. As two Realms of Order under the protection of the Celestial Gods, a principle of mutual non-interference had become customary. Even for the arrogant and bellicose Yonglan People, their first instinct was not to annex Imperial territory, but merely to look for a good fight.

"We are going into the Empire. Not to the borderlands, nor the Pioneer Territories, but to its core provinces."

Westheid’s calm words sent a collective gasp through the audience hall.

Uther’s brow twitched uncontrollably. He stared at Westheid in astonishment, then glanced over at a certain white-haired Dragon Lady.

’Duke Qinghui... Is he planning to lead the Yonglan Knights, march on the Imperial capital, and challenge the throne?’

’Are the titles of Knight King and the Branch of Prosperity not enough to satisfy his ambition? Does he covet the Imperial throne itself, or does he intend to place this Princess upon it?’

’But that can’t be right. I heard this Dragon Blood Princess voluntarily renounced her claim to the throne.’

Sir Black Knight’s mind was in turmoil.

Fortunately, Westheid spoke up at once to clarify. "Do not misunderstand. I am not asking you to invade the Empire, but to act as a good neighbor and help the Empire overcome its crisis."

"As you may have heard, the Empire is currently facing a dire catastrophe. The corruption of the Great Chaos Enemy has caused the Little Holy Trees in every province to wither. An unknown portion of the Empire’s vast territory has been reduced to a blighted wasteland. The Empire is powerless to defend or reclaim these lands, but how can I simply stand by and watch?"

Westheid turned to Reiya.

"You need not worry about authorization. Reiya is the Governor of the Southeast Imperial region. It is our shared duty to suppress the Chaos Creatures within our jurisdiction. As long as we have her consent, we have just cause to deploy our forces."

The Silver-haired Princess tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and nodded.

"I have no objection."

She wouldn’t just agree to help pacify the Empire’s territories; if he were truly leading an invasion, Reiya would become his guide without a second thought.

Such was the devotion of West’s number one fan!

With Reiya’s endorsement, Westheid’s words carried even more weight. He clenched his fists, his voice ringing with passion.

"Therefore... this is not an invasion, nor are we taking advantage of their plight! It is a wholly righteous act, a helping hand extended to a friendly nation out of our shared hatred for the Great Chaos Enemy!"

"In my capacity as Knight King, I hereby declare the start of this great expedition! Until the Mortal World is once again connected to the Supreme Heaven, this crusade on the Knightly Path shall never end!"

Westheid raised a clenched fist high.

"My lords, will you join me in this expedition?! I promise you nothing but endless battle, glory, and death!"

The more calculating minds might have tried to divine Westheid’s true intentions, but the vast majority of the Yonglan People couldn’t be bothered with such thoughts. All they knew was that their new Knight King had promised a crusade on the Knightly Path of an unprecedented scale.

The chance to set foot on lands they had never trod before, to fight and slaughter the rampaging Great Chaos Enemy—that was enough. It was more than enough.

As for aid and reform, those were trivial details. This was what the Yonglan People lived for; nothing else mattered!

Blood rushing to their heads, one Knight Lord after another raised their swords, roaring in fervent agreement.

"Long live Yonglan! Long live the expedition!"

"I will join the expedition!"

"I’ve already mobilized for the last expedition! I can join at any time!"

"I will obey Your Majesty’s command!"

"If it is a glorious battle to the death, how could we possibly refuse?"

Westheid gazed with satisfaction at the boisterous scene in the audience hall. A single glance was enough to tell him that most of the Knight Lords were now firmly on his side, hailing his decision to launch the expedition.

It was only natural. The Yonglan Knights were just that bellicose and bloodthirsty. Westheid admired such pure Warriors.

To march into another nation’s territory and strike down the Great Chaos Enemy was an unprecedented opportunity. To take part in such a momentous event, even if it meant bankrupting their houses, selling all they owned... even death would be a price worth paying.

"Very well. All who are willing to join me on this expedition may begin your preparations."

Westheid tugged on the chain in his hand, and Mephit immediately stepped forward, ready to receive her Monarch’s orders.

"I will not interfere with how you mobilize your forces. However, I will dispatch inspectors to oversee the abolition of serfdom. How about we leave this task to the Knights of the Gale Heart?"

The blue-haired young woman immediately knelt before Westheid. "The Zitherheart Clan and the Knight Orders under its command will carry out your will!"

It was not just Mephit who pledged her loyalty. She turned to Anhexius and the others at the front of the hall and declared righteously,

"Senior! If you do not support His Majesty, then who will?"

Anhexius, Lai Wu, and the other Grand Knights, who had been silent until now, heard her question and bowed their heads to Westheid.

"...If Your Majesty requires our assistance, we will naturally fulfill our duty and serve you to the best of our ability."

As the Knight Clans guarding the Gale Heart, the Steel Will Guardians were different from the other Lords. Ordinary Knight Territories only needed to fulfill their basic duties of fealty to the Knight King, but the Steel Will Guardians had far more to consider.

Once a Knight King ascended the throne, the Gale Heart became the monarch’s personal domain. The local Knight Clans automatically became the Knight King’s direct vassals—willingly or not.

Westheid was well aware of this. He rubbed his hands together.

"In that case, we will mobilize all forces of the Gale Heart. We shall act as the vanguard for the expedition, and I will lead you to the Empire myself."

Anhexius frowned. "All of them?"

"Yes, that’s right. Immediately. Throughout history, the crusades of the Knightly Path have always been led by the king. This time will be no different. Furthermore, for an expedition into the Empire, I must lead the way to prevent any mishandling of conflicts with the local Imperials."

Anhexius hesitated. "But what of the garrisons in Yonglan..."

Westheid shook his head. "Garrisons? We don’t need garrisons. The best defense is a good offense, and right now, only the Yonglan People are in a position to attack."

The Country of Yonglan was unique among the Realms of Order. Thanks to the Law of the Divine Ancestor, countless crusades on the Knightly Path over the long centuries had scoured the surrounding lands clean of Chaos Forces.

Consequently, even with the separation of the divine and the mortal, Chaos was unable to gain a foothold in the Country of Yonglan. Not a single significant Chaos Tide had erupted! It was an outrageously fortunate situation.

Once the disaster caused by the Heaven-Devouring Wave was quelled, the Country of Yonglan would become the most secure rear base of all. It could easily dispatch its Knight Army to project military force into other nations, leaving only a token force to guard the homeland. In any case, there was no risk of the Gale Heart ever falling.

Westheid stepped out of the audience hall and gazed at the sky. At noon, the wind and snow swirling around the Gale Heart seemed to pause for a moment. Brilliant sunlight pierced the clouds, casting a silvery sheen over the divine construct.

’I’ve been in the Country of Yonglan for too long. It’s time to go back.’

...........

Driven by Westheid’s powerful initiative, news of the unprecedented expedition spread on the wind-blown, snow-dusted leaves to every corner of the Land of Knights. Countless Yonglan Knights eagerly joined the grand crusade promised by their Knight King, ready to carve a path of slaughter across the Mortal World.

However, when this news reached the Empire, it did not receive a warm welcome from their countrymen.

In an Imperial border province adjacent to the Country of Yonglan, an furious curse echoed from within the fortress of the Valkyrie, Alexia.

"That Duke Qinghui is a damn turncoat! Whoever feeds him is his master! To think he’d become the Knight King for the Yonglan People!"